Whether or not Mike Anderson holds onto the No. 1 running back job, it’s becoming evident there will be a place for the veteran in the Broncos’ offense.
Anderson, who looked solid while holding off second-year pro Tatum Bell for the starting job during the first week of training camp, has excelled in the short-yardage game.
In several goal-line situations, Anderson has waltzed into the end zone. The Broncos missed that red-zone element last year. Anderson would have had the job but was lost for the season with a groin injury during the final preseason game.
“Mike is a big, strong guy, and he’s good near the goal line,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “We missed that last year. He gives us that option.”
Plummer update
Quarterback Jake Plummer is expected to be fine after suffering a slightly hyperextended left knee, the knee he had arthroscopic surgery on in May.
If Plummer is still sore, he could be limited or held out of practice early this week.
The Broncos will practice with the Texans in Houston on Wednesday and Thursday.
If Plummer sits, former Colorado State star Bradlee Van Pelt likely will work with the No. 1 offense.
Called to Canton
Shanahan and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak didn’t get much rest Sunday, the Broncos’ day off. As invited guests of newly inducted Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, Shanahan and Kubiak left Denver at 5 a.m. Sunday for the ceremony in Canton, Ohio. They were expected back at Dove Valley on Sunday night for team meetings.
“I was glad it was on this date so I was able to go and show my respect,” said Shanahan, who joined Kubiak in coaching Young for the San Francisco 49ers during their 1994 Super Bowl-winning season. “He had two great years there where he helped set almost every record – points, yardage, passing efficiency – but we lost to Dallas twice (in the NFC championship game) and the first time he actually got booed.
“Just his mental toughness to come back from all that, and to follow Joe Montana, and all the second-guessing, all the criticism and it just never fazed him. He kept at it and he wound up with 49 points and six touchdown passes (against San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX).”
Dealing with depth
Guard Chris Watton and tackle Cornell Green are making a strong push for backup spots on the offensive line, but the Broncos likely still will scan the waiver wire for offensive linemen. Linebacker is another position Denver could look to add depth.
If you go …
Practice begins today at 8:45 a.m. and will run approximately two hours. The afternoon practice begins at 3:50 p.m. and will run about 90 minutes. Gates open an hour prior to each practice. Admission is free. Parking at Broncos headquarters in Arapahoe County is on the west side of the practice fields, and is open on a first-come, first-served basis. Food concessions will not be sold during training camp.
Non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at training camp. Small lawn chairs are permitted in certain areas. There is no bleacher seating at camp this year, so most of the viewing is standing room only.
Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report.
